Microsoft admits millions of computers could be infected with malware before they're even out of the box

I've not read the whole text but that is a nasty thing. I mean
you do have to be a geek/nerd to know how to deal with such?

Do they tell how to get rid of it? One would need DVDs
that is warranted to be free of malware and to start all over
wiping the HD clean and make a fresh install can take a day?_________________I use Google Search on Puppy Forum
not an ideal solution though

These days, it would be more appropriate to say "Flash=Malware" or "Java=Malware" or "Adobe Reader=Malware".

I just updated Firefox on a Windows machine. As part of the install, Firefox provided a list of OTHER apps that it recommended you update for security reasons.Last edited by rcrsn51 on Sat 15 Sep 2012, 11:11; edited 1 time in total

Now the embarrassing thing is that I have not read the text.
Have any of you really read it? As I get it it has more to do
with criminals being able to place their nasty code in places
that gets used by those that work on the testing of the computers?
or to contaminate the OEM DVDs that gets packed or the transfer
of the OEM software to the computer before shipping.

I feel very unsure of if it is as you guys paint the picture here.
But I only wild guess. Am I really wrong? If I am way off base
then I will tell Flash to delete the thread. I trusted that Independent UK
know what they write._________________I use Google Search on Puppy Forum
not an ideal solution though

If you were a huge corporation, like say Microsoft, that had just posted its first huge loss ever, what would you do?
Would you just say 'Oh well, we had a good run, and got away with it for so long, we'll just have to accept that customers have woken up to us'.
Or would you do something that was consistent with your nature, and proven track record, and put out some more FUD, for example?

If the consumer could be made to think that they had some evil 'counterfeit' system on their machine, they would go and buy a copy of the 'genuine' one, which would somehow be better.

... I don't know if these ever reach Europe but why would BBC lie about it?

The story seems plausible: somewhere in the illegal supply chain malware has been deliberately or accidentally been added to pirated copies of Windows sold in China.

So the story is not necessarily lies, but the purpose of Micro$oft publicising it's investigation into counterfeit software is to increase sales of genuine Micro$oft products: essentially a scare story.

If you read the quote, it says MS bought 10 PCs.
Those would have had MS installed already.
So in fact, they would have been shipped for sale to the PC buyer with viruses and malware preinstalled on the new computers.

Joined: 18 May 2005Posts: 11132Location: The Peoples Republic of California

Posted: Mon 17 Sep 2012, 15:12 Post subject:

According to Microsoft

the move to FOSS is risky and bound to make Government systems more vulnerable to hackers

Government lacks competent expertise to handle the challenges that comes with the free and Open Source Software

FOSS means less accountability, the Sate might find it hard to hold anyone accountable should its systems be hacked. (Bruce wonders: Has Microsoft ever been easy to hold accountable, wonder of wonders)

FOSS is not copyrighted, so says MS. Just like other players in the copyrighted software, MS is accountable when their software is hacked, the case is different with the non-copyrighted software,”

Experience with ethically challenged companies has taught us to be slow at taking things at face value from proprietors. For example, just because Microsoft says so, doesn't mean it's the truth.

For people who want to think FOSS is free, non-copyrighted, read the GPL, unlike many proprietor's license, the GPL is easy to read and understand. Read it before sticking yer foot in yer mouth.

Presently, Red Hat is counter-suing Twin Peaks over its claim that Red Hat is using a patent of theirs.

Red Hat replied with a counter claim that Twin Peaks took its FOSS mount utility, didn't comply with Red Hat's GPL and packaged mount as Twin Peaks' very own software and boxed as its proprietary software.

I think Red Hat will come out the winner. And Twin Peaks should have looked first, to see, if they had clean hands, before suing Red Hat for being dirty.

In order to beat the financial crisis I expect that corporates will try to "lock down" supply so that the end consumer has less choice. How long before only "Microsoft Approved" or "Apple Approved" PCs are legal in the USA I wonder?? (at least in schools etc)

It's not just cybercriminals that infect PCs. It is government agencies too. (Read about Stuxnet as an example).

It is sad that anyone would buy any MS powered computer and think it might be clean. No computer is ever free from risk (even if running Linux)

rcrsn51 wrote:

These days, it would be more appropriate to say "Flash=Malware" or "Java=Malware" or "Adobe Reader=Malware".

Yes, I am particularly fearful of how pervasive Java is becoming. Even in word processing software. The risks are everywhere now, and I really don't think trusting an antivirus programme covers all bases. The threats are everywhere.

Joined: 18 May 2005Posts: 11132Location: The Peoples Republic of California

Posted: Mon 17 Sep 2012, 17:01 Post subject:

Queen Elizabeth II, herself, bestowed Knighthood, one of the highest honours an individual in the United Kingdom can achieve, on Sir William Henry Gates III.

If anyone didn't know, William Henry Gates III, is an English Knight, now you do. Fortunately, we don't have to address him as Sir.

If any of you are peasants, working the lands of William Henry Gates III's King, and you are attacked by Knights of a competing Kingdom, I wouldn't bank on finding him on a White Horse coming to your rescue.

I would however, bank on him not coming to your rescue.

~

Considering how much the Queen has been angered recently, I'd be careful about how I spoke of any of Her's.

Also, if you catch William Henry Gates III with his top off, don't take a picture of him, for goodness sakes.

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